One of the leading causes of death in the Philippines remains to be uncontrolled hypertension leading to heart disease and stroke. In 2017, it was reported that 25% of Pinoy adults have high blood pressure caused by either their lifestyle or inherited the condition from their parents and elders. The climate and high fat, high sodium diet in the Philippines do very little to help Filipinos avoid the burden of hypertension.
The good news is that hypertension is a manageable disease and the patient is likely to keep its complications at bay with low-cost preventive measures like exercise and diet changes. Regular visits to one’s physician and easy access to an emergency room can help arrest any adverse effects of an elevated blood pressure as well.
It is good to know that hypertension is covered by the PhilHealth and is available to all bona fide members and their dependents. Below are some important things you need to remember when claiming your PhilHealth benefits for cases of hypertension:
- PhilHealth will cover up to Php 9,000.00 for hypertension cases, where:
- 30% is for professional fees (Php 2,700.00);
- 70% for room and board, drugs, supplies, ancillary tests, laboratory, and other procedures (Php 6,300.00).
- Benefits for hypertension cases are covered by the No Balance Billing (NBB) policy.
- Hospitals should be able to provide the complete and quality service for hypertensive Philhealth member patients.
- The member patient should no longer make out-of-pocket payments for his room, board, medicines, supplies, laboratory, X-ray procedures, and professional fees.
- Member patients can claim from PhilHealth only if they are admitted to the hospital (not outpatient cases or emergency room only).
- The benefits of hypertension cases are covered by the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) rule. This means that only one claim for hypertension benefits can be applied every 90 days.
A hypertensive person’s blood pressure can shoot up anytime. It is best to always be armed with your PhilHealth benefits to help ease the burden of hospital expenses. Of course, the best way to keep yourself from the hassles of hospital confinement and expenses is to exert extra efforts in making sure that you lead a healthy lifestyle:
- Grab every opportunity to walk instead of riding your car, a cab, or even the elevator.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid salty food and those that are high in cholesterol.
- Get enough sleep.
- Free your mind of negative thoughts.
Have a hypertensive-free summer, folks!
Source: www.philhealth.gov.ph
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